David Cameron has promised to get tough on Syria and its president, Bashar al-Assad, after hearing "horrendous" stories of suffering from refugees at a camp in Jordan.

Standing on the border with Syria, the prime minister looked stern as he overlooked the Al Wahdah dam and listed to Jordanian border guards.

With his deep frown and open necked shirt, Cameron evoked a Vladimir Putin-esque demeanour, but unlike the Russian President, he has vowed to find a way to force Assad from power in Syria.

Prime minister David Cameron talks to border guards on the Syrian-Jordanian border near the Al Wahdah dam

British humanitarian aid for the crisis would be increased by £14 million, he said, after being taken to an area of the border where up to 500 people a day are arriving.

Diplomatic talks are also planned between the UK's special envoy to the Syrian opposition, Jon Wilks, and rebel military chiefs in an effort to "help shape the opposition", he said.

Cameron was in the country on the final leg of a three-day Middle East tour and is believed to be the first G20 leader to visit the Za'atri camp.

"I wanted to hear for myself the stories of people who have been bombed and shot and blasted out of their homes in Syria by a deeply illegitimate and unpleasant regime that is raining down death and destruction on its own people," he said.

"It is truly horrendous to hear those stories and just redoubles my determination that now, with a newly-elected American president, we have got to do more to help this part of the world, to help Syria achieve transition."

Cameron travelled by helicopter to a valley dominated by the Al Wahdah dam which is one of the busiest crossing points and was recently hit by Syrian shells.

Some of those arriving seeking shelter in Jordan had walked for up to 15 days to reach the border, he was told by the local Jordanian military chief.

Cameron meets children and teachers in a classroom at the Zaatri refugee camp near the Syrian-Jordanian border

At the camp, he met some of those recently arrived in the country and was treated to a patriotic Syrian song by young girls at one of the classroom tents set up for the many children living there.

Cameron told them: "You are not just missed in Syria, all of the world wants to help you, including my country."

Speaking about the moves to set up talks with the rebel military leaders, he said: "There is an opportunity for Britain, for America, for Saudi Arabia, Jordan and like-minded allies to come together and try to help shape the opposition, outside Syria and inside Syria, and try to help them achieve their goal, which is our goal of a Syria without Assad."

It is a recognition that events are increasingly dictated by the military figures and not the splintered political groupings, who met in Qatar this week in an effort to forge an alliance against Assad.

And there is mounting concern that extremists are gaining a major influence inside opposition forces.

Cameron repeated his suggestion that the president could be allowed to flee Syria voluntarily to a country where he could evade any criminal charges over the slaughter that has killed upwards of 30,000 people so far.

"I would like to see him face justice but, frankly, any option that involves him leaving the country and a transition taking place would be good for the people right behind me here," he said.

At present 2.5 million people inside Syria need humanitarian assistance and the number of refugees in the surrounding region is predicted to almost double to 710,000 by the end of the year.

That could mean a quarter of a million alone in Jordan.

David Cameron with Jordanian foreign minister Nasser Judeh and the UNHCR representative to Jordan, Andrew Harper

Foreign secretary William Hague has set out the details of contacts with Syrian rebel fighters in a statement to Parliament, claiming it would help the UK get a better understanding of the situation in the country.

He said the policy would build on meetings with the political representatives of the armed opposition which had begun earlier this year.

"Such groups are playing an increasingly influential role within Syria as the conflict worsens," he told MPs.

"I have therefore now authorised my officials to have direct contact with an even wider range of representatives including military figures in the armed opposition.

"This will help us to understand better the situation in Syria and the relationship between political and armed opposition groups so we can properly support political transition."

Hague said all meetings with rebel military leaders would take place outside Syria and "only in environments we deem suitably secure".

He added: "Each potential contact will be explored cautiously and on a case-by-case basis.

"Through continuous assessment, we will make every effort to ensure that FCO officials engage only with legitimate representatives of the opposition."

He added: "In all contacts my officials will stress the importance of respecting human rights and international human rights norms, rejecting extremism and terrorism, and working towards peaceful political transition.

"British contacts with military elements of the Syrian armed opposition will be limited to a political dialogue including working towards an inclusive political transition."

He added that the UK would continue its policy of only supplying non-lethal support, such as radios and generators, to the unarmed opposition.

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ZAATARI, JORDAN - NOVEMBER 7: British Prime Minister David Cameron (4th L) arrives at Al Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees , on November 7, 2012 in north east Jordan. The camp sees some 500 people arriving daily and Cameron is thought to the first G20 leader to have visited. Cameron's visit comes ahead of talks with armed Syrian rebels. (Photo by Salah Malkawi/Getty Images)

British Prime Minister David Cameron (C-L), Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh (C-R) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative to Jordan Andrew Harper (R) walk in the Zaatari refugee camp in the Jordanian town of Mafraq, near the border with Syria, on November 7, 2012. Cameron vowed to do more to help end the bloody crisis in Syria as he made a surprise visit to the sprawling Zaatari refugee camp following a three-day Middle Eastern tour. AFP PHOTO/STR (Photo credit should read KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP/Getty Images)

ZAATARI, JORDAN - NOVEMBER 7: British Prime Minister David Cameron (C) arrives at Al Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees , on November 7, 2012 in north east Jordan. The camp sees some 500 people arriving daily and Cameron is thought to the first G20 leader to have visited. Cameron's visit comes ahead of talks with armed Syrian rebels. (Photo by Salah Malkawi/Getty Images)

ZAATARI, JORDAN - NOVEMBER 7: British Prime Minister David Cameron (C) arrives at Al Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees , on November 7, 2012 in north east Jordan. The camp sees some 500 people arriving daily and Cameron is thought to the first G20 leader to have visited. Cameron's visit comes ahead of talks with armed Syrian rebels. (Photo by Salah Malkawi/Getty Images)

ZAATARI, JORDAN - NOVEMBER 7: British Prime Minister David Cameron (C) arrives at Al Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees , on November 7, 2012 in north east Jordan. The camp sees some 500 people arriving daily and Cameron is thought to the first G20 leader to have visited. Cameron's visit comes ahead of talks with armed Syrian rebels. (Photo by Salah Malkawi/Getty Images)

ZAATARI, JORDAN - NOVEMBER 7: Syrian refugees watch as British Prime Minister David Cameron (not pictured) arrives at Al Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees , on November 7, 2012 in north east Jordan. The camp sees some 500 people arriving daily and Cameron is thought to the first G20 leader to have visited. Cameron's visit comes ahead of talks with armed Syrian rebels. (Photo by Salah Malkawi/Getty Images)

ZAATARI, JORDAN - NOVEMBER 7: Syrian refugee children watch as British Prime Minister David Cameron (not pictured) arrives at Al Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees , on November 7, 2012 in north east Jordan. The camp sees some 500 people arriving daily and Cameron is thought to the first G20 leader to have visited. Cameron's visit comes ahead of talks with armed Syrian rebels. (Photo by Salah Malkawi/Getty Images)

ZAATARI, JORDAN - NOVEMBER 7: Syrian refugee children watch as British Prime Minister David Cameron (not pictured) arrives at Al Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees , on November 7, 2012 in north east Jordan. The camp sees some 500 people arriving daily and Cameron is thought to the first G20 leader to have visited. Cameron's visit comes ahead of talks with armed Syrian rebels. (Photo by Salah Malkawi/Getty Images)

ZAATARI, JORDAN - NOVEMBER 7: British Prime Minister David Cameron (L) arrives at Al Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees , on November 7, 2012 in north east Jordan. The camp sees some 500 people arriving daily and Cameron is thought to the first G20 leader to have visited. Cameron's visit comes ahead of talks with armed Syrian rebels. (Photo by Salah Malkawi/Getty Images)

Prime Minister David Cameron talks to a refugee from Syria in the reception centre at the Za'atri refugee camp near the Syrian - Jordanian border where he met Syrian families who have escaped across the border into Jordan from the Assad regime.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets King Abdullah of Jordan at the Royal Palace in Amman today. Earlier he visited the Za'atri refugee camp near the Syrian - Jordanian border where he met Syrian families who have escaped across the border into Jordan from the Assad regime.

Prime Minister David Cameron tours the Za'atri refugee camp near the Syrian - Jordanian border where he met Syrian families who have escaped across the border into Jordan from the Assad regime.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets King Abdullah of Jordan at the Royal Palace in Amman today. Earlier he visited the Za'atri refugee camp near the Syrian - Jordanian border where he met Syrian families who have escaped across the border into Jordan from the Assad regime.

Prime Minister David Cameron talks to border guards on the Syrian - Jordanian border near the Al Wahdah dam. Mr Cameron saw the path taken by Syrian refugees and he later went to the Za'atri camp and met Syrian families who have escaped across the border.

Prime Minister David Cameron talks to border guards on the Syrian - Jordanian border near the Al Wahdah dam. Mr Cameron saw the path taken by Syrian refugees and he later went to the Za'atri camp and met Syrian families who have escaped across the border.

Prime Minister David Cameron looks into Syria from the Jordanian border near the Al Wahdah dam. Mr Cameron saw the path taken by Syrian refugees and he later went to the Za'atri camp and met Syrian families who have escaped across the border.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets children and teachers in a classroom at the Za'atri refugee camp near the Syrian - Jordanian border where he met Syrian families who have escaped across the border into Jordan from the Assad regime.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets children and teachers in a classroom at the Za'atri refugee camp near the Syrian - Jordanian border where he met Syrian families who have escaped across the border into Jordan from the Assad regime.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets female students at Dar Al-Hekma University in Jeddah during his one day visit to Saudi Arabia today. Earlier Cameron met King Abdullah at his official residence.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets female students at Dar Al-Hekma University in Jeddah during his one day visit to Saudi Arabia today. Earlier Cameron met King Abdullah at his official residence.

Prime Minister David Cameron tours the Za'atri refugee camp near the Syrian - Jordanian border where he met Syrian families who have escaped across the border into Jordan from the Assad regime.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets female students at Dar Al-Hekma University in Jeddah during his one day visit to Saudi Arabia today. Earlier Cameron met King Abdullah at his official residence.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets female students at Dar Al-Hekma University in Jeddah during his one day visit to Saudi Arabia.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets female students at Dar Al-Hekma University in Jeddah during his one day visit to Saudi Arabia.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets female students at Dar Al-Hekma University in Jeddah during his one day visit to Saudi Arabia today. Earlier Cameron met King Abdullah at his official residence.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets King Abdullah of Jordan at the Royal Palace in Amman today. Earlier the PM visited the Za'atri refugee camp near the Syrian - Jordanian border where he met Syrian families who have escaped across the border into Jordan from the Assad regime.

Prime Minister David Cameron receives the King Abdullah Decoration One from King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at the Palace of the King in Jeddah today.

Prime Minister David Cameron receives the King Abdullah Decoration One from King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at the Palace of the King in Jeddah today.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at the Palace of the King in Jeddah today accompanied by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond (left).

Prime Minister David Cameron meets King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at the Palace of the King in Jeddah today.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at the Palace of the King in Jeddah today accompanied by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond (left).

Prime Minister David Cameron at the Palace of the King in Jeddah today where he met King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.

Prime Minister David Cameron receives the King Abdullah Decoration One from King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at the Palace of the King in Jeddah today.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at the Palace of the King in Jeddah today.

Prime Minister David Cameron receives the King Abdullah Decoration One from King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at the Palace of the King in Jeddah today.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia arrives in Jeddah greeted by the Governor of Mecca, Khalid al Faisal. Later he went onto to meet King Abdullah at the Palace of the King where they had lunch and bilateral meetings.

In this handout photos made available by Emirates News Agency, WAM, British Prime Minister David Cameron, right, shakes hands with President of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed at al Nahyan at Al Rawda Palace in the city of al Ain in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. Cameron is on a three day visit to Gulf states. (AP Photo/WAM)

In this handout photos made available by Emirates News Agency, WAM, British Prime Minister David Cameron, fifth left, walks with with President of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed at al Nahyan, fifth right, at Al Rawda Palace in the city of al Ain in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. Cameron is on a three day visit to Gulf states. (AP Photo/WAM)

Prime Minister David Cameron is welcomed by Government ministers to the Al Rawda Palace in the city of al Ain in Abu Dhabi after meeting President of the UAE HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan where they held a bilateral meeting, during his three day visit to Gulf states.

Prime Minister David Cameron is welcomed to the Al Rawda Palace in the city of al Ain in Abu Dhabi by the President of the UAE HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan where they held a bilateral meeting. Cameron is on a three day visit to Gulf states.

Prime Minister David Cameron is welcomed to the Al Rawda Palace in the city of al Ain in Abu Dhabi by the President of the UAE HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan where they held a bilateral meeting. Cameron is on a three day visit to Gulf states.

Prime Minister David Cameron is welcomed by Government ministers to the Al Rawda Palace in the city of al Ain in Abu Dhabi after meeting President of the UAE HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan where they held a bilateral meeting, during his three day visit to Gulf states.

Prime Minister David Cameron (left) and Defence Secretary Philip Hammondn (right) talk with the President of the UAE HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahya, at the Al Rawda Palace in the city of al Ain in Abu Dhabi, where they held a bilateral meeting, as part of a three day visit to Gulf states.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets students at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi before holding a Q&amp;A with 350 more students where he faced questions about a range of topics including the 'arab spring'.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets students at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi before holding a Q&A with 350 more students where he faced questions about a range of topics including the 'arab spring'.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets students at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi before holding a Q&A with 350 more students where he faced questions about a range of topics including the 'arab spring'.

Students at Zayed University take part in a Q&amp;A with Prime Minister David Cameron in Abu Dhabi today where he faced questions about a range of topics including the 'arab spring'.

Students at Zayed University take part in a Q&A with Prime Minister David Cameron in Abu Dhabi today where he faced questions about a range of topics including the 'arab spring'.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets students at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi before holding a Q&amp;A with 350 more students where he faced questions about a range of topics including the 'arab spring'.

Prime Minister David Cameron holds a Q&amp;A with 350 students at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi today where he faced questions about a range of topics including the 'arab spring'.

Prime Minister David Cameron holds a Q&amp;A with 350 students at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi today where he faced questions about a range of topics including the 'arab spring'.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets students at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi before holding a Q&A with 350 more students where he faced questions about a range of topics including the 'arab spring'.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets students at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi before holding a Q&A with 350 more students where he faced questions about a range of topics including the 'arab spring'.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets His Highness Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum (right) Prime Minister of UAE at Za'abeel Palace in Dubai today where they had lunch together before travelling onto Abu Dhabi.

Prime Minister David Cameron holds a Q&amp;A with 350 students at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi today where he faced questions about a range of topics including the 'arab spring'.

Prime Minister David Cameron takes the Dubai Metro to the World Trade Centre with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, where he saw one of the first completely driverless transport networks.

Prime Minister David Cameron arrives at the World Trade Centre in Dubai where he visited a trade fair called The Big Five, where British businesses are exhibiting their wares to the UAE.

Prime Minister David Cameron takes the Dubai Metro to the World Trade Centre with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, where he saw one of the first completely driverless transport networks.

Prime Minister David Cameron arrives at the World Trade Centre in Dubai with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum where he visited a trade fair called The Big Five, where British businesses are exhibiting their wares to the UAE.

Prime Minister David Cameron arrives at the World Trade Centre in Dubai where he visited a trade fair called The Big Five, where British businesses are exhibiting their wares to the UAE.

Prime Minister David Cameron takes the Dubai Metro to the World Trade Centre with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, where he saw one of the first completely driverless transport networks.

Prime Minister David Cameron arrives at the World Trade Centre in Dubai where he visited a trade fair called The Big Five, where British businesses are exhibiting their wares to the UAE.

Prime Minister David Cameron takes the Dubai Metro to the World Trade Centre with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, where he saw one of the first completely driverless transport networks.

Prime Minister David Cameron takes the Dubai Metro to the World Trade Centre with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, where he saw one of the first completely driverless transport networks.

Prime Minister David Cameron has breakfast with RAF personnel based at the Al Minhad airbase in Dubai where British Typhoon jets of 99 Squadron are stationed. Cameron is on a three day visit to Gulf states.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets RAF personnel based at the Al Minhad airbase in Dubai where British Typhoon jets of 99 Squadron are stationed. Cameron is on a three day visit to Gulf states.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets RAF personnel based at the Al Minhad airbase in Dubai where British Typhoon jets of 99 Squadron are stationed. Cameron is on a three day visit to Gulf states.

Prime Minister David Cameron has breakfast with RAF personnel based at the Al Minhad airbase in Dubai where British Typhoon jets of 99 Squadron are stationed. Cameron is on a three day visit to Gulf states.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets RAF personnel based at the Al Minhad airbase in Dubai where British Typhoon jets of 99 Squadron are stationed. Cameron is on a three day visit to Gulf states.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets RAF personnel based at the Al Minhad airbase in Dubai where British Typhoon jets of 99 Squadron are stationed. Cameron is on a three day visit to Gulf states.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets RAF personnel based at the Al Minhad airbase in Dubai where British Typhoon jets of 99 Squadron are stationed. Cameron is on a three day visit to Gulf states.

Prime Minister David Cameron has breakfast with RAF personnel based at the Al Minhad airbase in Dubai where British Typhoon jets of 99 Squadron are stationed. Cameron is on a three day visit to Gulf states.

Prime Minister David Cameron and Defence Secretary Philip Hammond arrive at the Al Minhad airbase in Dubai where British Typhoon jets of 99 Squadron are stationed. Cameron is on a three day visit to Gulf states.